CHAPTER V 



SMALL WHITE PIGS. 



HESE offer a marked contrast to the large white 

 sorts last described, not only in the matter of 

 size, but iu quality, early maturity, and delicacy of 

 character. It is difficult to imagine that such 

 elegant and complete specimens of porcine development were 

 derived from a common origin with the lop-eared, coarse- 

 skinned, big-boned animals that were the progenitors of the 

 present large variety. The influence of suitable crosses has, we 

 know, a remarkable effect, and so it may be that Chinese blood 

 laid the foundation of the present small white sorts. These 

 are found distributed in several counties, but more especially 

 in parts of Yorkshire — so much so that they are frequently 

 described as small Yorkshires. At the present time, however, 

 they are quite as famous in Lancashire, Suffolk, and Berkshire. 

 These small sorts may be described as " gentlemen's pigs,'* 

 rather than as being in favour with tenant farmers. The late 

 Lord Ducie cultivated the sort ; the late Lord Wenlock's breed 

 was for many years famous in Yorkshire ; the late Mr. Samuel 

 Wiley, amongst his other successes, stood high with a breed of 

 small whites remarkable for quality; Sir George Wombwell 

 took prizes, cum multis aliis, principally Yorkshiremen. Both 

 Her Majesty and Lord Eadnor cultivated white varieties of the 

 Berkshire, but they are neither in size, quality, nor character 

 good types of the small breed of late years. Mr. Sexton has 

 distinguished himself with small white Suffolks, though his 

 fame will rest principally upon his success with the black sort. 

 Mr. Peter Eden, of Manchester, and through him. Lord EUes- 



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